It is not very well known, neither even disclosed, how Tchaikovsky has
influenced other musical masters all over the world.
Of course in Russia, Glazunov. Rachmaninov, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and
even Stravinsky have received more or less, the shade of Tchaikovsky's
blueprint.
Richard Strauss (in Salome, for example), Mahler (in his fifth
symphony, prominently), Sibelius (almost in his whole output), Gershwin
(in some inspired moments of his Rhapsody in Blue), Elgar, Holst,
all in some way have inherited some of Tchaikovsky's style and flair.
Of course I have only mentioned major composers, but I know there is
much more to investigate about the power of Tchaikovsky's inspirational
influence after his departure from this world.
Alberto Sáenz Enríquez
I would like to add John Williams to the
list of influenced composers, who is one of the greatest and well known
composers of scores of sound tracks / film music and who is still alive.
The cult films E.T., Star Wars and the newer movies of Harry
Potter are coming along with John Williams.
He learned from Tchaikovsky to be a master of the musical handicraft and
instrumentation techniques. Especially the music for E.T. streams out the
typical lyricism of Tchaikovsky. Harp, celesta and string flageolet in
combination are recalling the
Nutcracker and the
Voevoda (Op. 78). Also the melodic richness is typical for
Tchaikovsky.
So Tchaikovsky did not only influence the serious music in the 20th
century but also the utility music / music for use.
Rüdiger Herpich
Dear Gentlemen
About Tchaikovsky’s influence, many minor composers as Miklos Rossa,
Alfred Newman or John Williams, apart from Russia’s Kabalevsky,
Khachaturian, Gliere and great ones as Rachmaninov, Glazunov, Richard
Strauss, Mahler, Elgar, etc. have been influenced by the greatest
Russian, but his shade over lesser masters is just relatively relevant.
Alberto Sáenz Enríquez